11 clear signs that you need a break

The week before my vacation, I fell asleep every evening with my mouth wide open on the couch, found healthy cooking the biggest challenge imaginable, and left my belongings scattered behind me throughout the house. For my boyfriend, those piles of clothes and UberEats orders are the red flags that I need to take time off.

Taking time off is healthy. Your mind needs recovery time and therefore must detach from daily things, something we do less and less, causing younger generations to turn into walking burnouts. Yet there are clear signals that tell you it is wise to take a break. See it as prevention, a kind of check-up before things go wrong and you end up with mental health issues or become completely burned out. Do you often score ‘yes’ on the following points? Then it's time to push through your days off.

1. Hey, an airplane

Do you get distracted by every beep, passing airplane, or hop from one task to another without finishing anything properly? If you struggle to maintain your concentration or focus, it might just be that a short break could do you good.

2. You are non-stop tired 

Falling asleep just five minutes after sitting on the couch, waking up tired, and having no energy to do anything at all. Take a break!

3. Cynical is who you are

Are you starting to turn into a grumpy complainer and are you cynical or quite negative about everything? You might as well ask your employer for some time off, because this is a clear signal. Many people think that being cynical is part of their nature, but it is simply a result of not having enough vacation.

4. You feel overwhelmed or agitated quickly

In this case, it is not someone else, but you.

5. Emotional exhaustion is lurking

Not being able to process emotions anymore indicates that your system is about to give in.

6. Exhausted, but can't sleep? 

It is apparently a classic symptom of people who really need a day off.

7. You lack motivation to do anything

And we are not talking about that one time you went to work with a hangover, but rather about that day you were just idly wasting time behind your desk.

8. Sick again

If you are constantly struck down by the flu, headaches, and all sorts of vague complaints, then the prescription is: vacation. Your immune system breaks down more easily when you are due for a break.

9. Things you enjoy no longer bring you pleasure 

A big red flag: do you suddenly find going out to eat exhausting while you normally live for it? You know what you need to do.

10. You get annoyed by the smallest things 

Do you explode because the cap is not on the toothpaste? Do you curse every other road user from the safety of your own car?

11. The light is on, but nobody is home

Physically present, but mentally completely not engaged with what is happening in your relationship or at work? Go to www-dot-i-need-a-vacation-dot-nl for the best remedy: that much-needed break according to your brains.

Source: The Brain Coach